republican proposal would raise half the amount as the president's plan and save $350 billion from medicare and medicaid. however, at the chicago fed, a gathering of 39 individuals from banking and manufacturing industries - including automakers and other sectors - say the economy is strong enough - barely - to withstand either party's direction. "the vast majority think the fiscal cliff's impact will not be enough to drive us to recessionary measures." the chicago fed forecasts the economy will grow at 2.3% next year; unemployment will drop to 7.6%; new housing starts, often a key indicator, will increase to 950,000 new units; and vehicle sales will get a boost - all good news for the midwest. "with 13% of the population, we produce 30% of the vehicles. forecast is for 3.5% growth, which is 15 million units." also, the fed's economic forecasters say by the end of 2013, the price of west texas crude oil will rise about $4 higher than it is now. so overall, a gradual improvement - not fast enough or robust enough to greatly affect the jobs picture, but nothing on the horizon to reverse it, e